Delhi Pollution Live Updates: Odd Even called off, Arvind Kejriwal government to move NGT again

Delhi Pollution Live Updates: The Odd Even plan has been cancelled by the Delhi government, hours after NGT permitted it. In light of the two conditions by NGT on 2 wheelers & women, at the moment we are calling it off. We will go back to NGT on Monday, file a review petition for them to reconsider their decision regarding the two, said Delhi transport minister Kailash Gehlot.

Delhi Pollution Live Updates: The Odd-Even plan has been cancelled by the Delhi government, hours after NGT permitted it. “In light of the two conditions by NGT on 2 wheelers and women, at the moment we are calling it off. We will go back to NGT on Monday, file a review petition for them to reconsider their decision regarding the two,” said Delhi transport minister Kailash Gehlot. After witnessing one of the worst air pollution phase in the national capital, Arvind Kejriwal led AAP government got cracking and decided to bring back the odd-even scheme aiming to bring some respite to the city residents. Uncertainty prevails over the implementation of the odd-even car rationing scheme as the National Green Tribunal questioned the rationale behind Delhi government’s decision to roll it out for five days next week, saying the scheme “cannot be imposed like this”. NGT is to decide on the scheme today. Delhi was engulfed in a blanket of thick smog which affected the normal life of people. Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said that the car rationing scheme will now be enforced from November 13 and 17 from 8 am to 8 pm. AAP strongly defended its government’s decision to bring back the odd-even road-rationing scheme, saying vehicular pollution was the biggest source of ultrafine particulate matters measuring less than 2.5 microns.

6:40 pm: Here at IIT Delhi leadership conclave, Pratik Sharma & Sanjiv found a solution for the current situation in Delhi. They gave me a nozzle filter which comes only for Rs 10 per piece. If this works fine, I congratulate the two for it: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

(ANI)

6:30 pm: Centre-run air monitoring agency SAFAR’s project director Gufran Beig told PTI that the sharp drop of the boundary layer
where pollutants remained trapped for being unable to escape into the upper layer of the atmosphere.

6:20 pm: According to the MeT department, humidity levels in the national capital shot up to 91 percent this morning.

6:10 pm: The weather office had predicting light rainfall later in the day, which may clear the smog enveloping the national capital.

6:05 pm: Light rains expected in Delhi, may clear smog: MeT office.

6:00 pm: Haryana’s Gurugram comes second at 480, Delhi is at the third position at 468, while Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow and Kanpur are at 462 and 461.

5:50 pm: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said that the cities across North India continue to be ‘severe’ on air quality index. According to the pollution control board, Varanasi is top of the list at 491.

4: 50 pm: Now after the NGT has given this verdict, they realise that with riders, they cannot tackle the problem and are withdrawing it now: Tom Vadakkan.

4:40 pm: AAP had implemented the programme without looking at cost-benefit factor: Tom Vadakkan, as per CNN News 18.

4:30 pm: Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan has slammed the AAP government for cancelling the odd-even scheme.

4:25 pm: The decision to call-off the scheme was taken at a meeting chaired by Arvind Kejriwal and attended by ministers, including Gahlot, Gopal Rai and Imran Hussain.

4:15 pm: “We respect the NGT decision. Two conditions of NGT that two wheelers and women cannot be exempted make it difficult to
implement odd-even as we do not have adequate buses,” Gahlot said.

4:10 pm: Cities across North India continue to be ‘severe’ on air quality index. Varanasi top of the list at 491. Gurugram at 480, Delhi at 468, Lucknow at 462 and Kanpur at 461, reports ANI.

4:00 pm: Delhi Govt cannot risk safety of women in Odd-Even. Will not implement Odd-Even without exemptions to women: Bharadwaj.

3:50 pm: Odd Even was not to satisfy anybody’s ego.Women being vulnerable cannot be exposed to risks.Delhi Govt Committed to safety and security: AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj.

3:40 pm: In light of the two conditions by NGT on 2 wheelers & women, at the moment we are calling it off. We will go back to NGT on Monday, file a review petition for them to reconsider their decision regarding the two: Kailash Gehlot.

3:35 pm: Odd Even has been called off for now: Kailash Gehlot, Delhi Transport Minister

3:30 pm: No Odd Even from Monday as AAP government cancels it.

3:15 pm: Now when NGT has approved Even Odd, what happens to all rhetoric against Even-Odd scheme.BJP just wants to oppose everything by AAP Govt ?: AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj.

3:10 pm:

3:05 pm: BJP leader Vijay Goel slams AAP government odd-even scheme.

2:56 pm:

2:50 pm: Odd-even the exemption will only apply only to emergency services such as ambulance, police vehicles and fire trucks. CNG vehicles are also exempted.

2:40 pm: During the hearing, the tribunal questioned the city government as to why it was granting exemptions to certain sections if the aim was to improve air quality.

2:30 pm: Delhi govt is in talks with Pawan Hans for aerial sprinkling of water over the city to bring down particulate matter: Imran Hussain‏.

2:26 pm: NGT issues notices to NHAI, NBCC asking why exemplary cost should not be imposed on them for violation of its order on construction.

1:33 pm: NGT directs Delhi Govt to reconsider decision to hike parking charges by four times in Delhi

1:17 pm: There is no exemption at all, Odd Even will be implemented even on VIPs, only emergency vehicles will be exempted: Rajiv Bansal, Counselor for DDA

1:06 pm: NGT directs Odd Even scheme must be implemented in Delhi NCR as and when PM 10 crosses 300 level and PM 2.5 crosses 500″

12:45 pm: Emergency vehicles to get exemption during the Odd Even scheme

12:39 pm: NGT directs all the neighboring state Govts and departments to ensure complete mechanism during environmental emergency, says don’t wait for crisis situation. Also directed various departments and executing agencies for better cooperation and coordination including Delhi police

12:38 pm: NGT gives nod to the implementation of Odd Even car rationing scheme, ‘no exemption’ for two wheelers, govt servants or women

12:35 pm: National Green Tribunal gives nod to the Odd Even scheme.

12:25 pm: CPCB and DPCC submitted that two-wheelers are more polluting than four-wheelers, and their emissions comprise 20% of the total vehicular pollution. NGT observed that water sprinkling is a better way to control pollution.

12:19 pm: NGT asked the Delhi government “Won’t the hike of parking fees only benefit the parking lots, and would stress people even further, thereby encouraging them to park vehicles on the roads instead, choking them in the process?”

12:14 pm: The National Green Tribunal asks Uttar Pradesh Government over the number of violators challaned in Noida and Greater Noida.

12:08 pm: The National Green Tribunal observed “it is most worrying that there is absolute non cooperation between various departments of government”

11:59 am: NGT asks Traffic Police to deploy its personnel at traffic lights, observing that almost all the main roads in the city are witness to diesel vehicles which are older than 10 years and petrol vehicles which are older than 15 years

11:55 am: NGT pulls up CMD of DTC for not reading the former judgements in this regard. NGT observed that it was unfortunate. NGT asked DTC on the number of its unused buses in its workshops.

11:42 am: NGT asked Delhi Govt about reasons behind exemptions and the impact of pollution emanating from two wheelers, and whether they intend to employ this scheme of #OddEven whenever the pollution levels spiral, to which the Delhi Govt stated that this couldn’t be said as of now.

11:38 am: Central Pollution Control Board submitted before the National Green Tribunal that rain could take place in the next two days.

11:33 am: NGT to Delhi government: So we should assume that the government is sure of the odd even scheme’s benefit, and of no inconvenience taking place to the citizens?

11:35 am: NGT observed that its patience shouldn’t be tested, asking the Delhi government that when the statistics have indicated that rain leads to a fall in pollution levels, why wasn’t action taken ? It’s now being taken after the Tribunal said so.

11:32 am: NGT asked the Centre and the Delhi government to name a big city where PM 10 levels were lower than 100

11:31 am: Central Pollution Control Board submitted that they had warned the Delhi government orally in advance about the impending problem, which the Delhi government denied.

11: 30 am: NGT asks Delhi government to show the letter on basis of which this decision was taken, and whether the LG’s approval was taken for the same. NGT asked the Delhi government to state how many times does a person breathe in a day

11:21 am: NGT asks Delhi Government the rationale behind applying the odd even scheme, and why it wasn’t applied when the air quality situation was worse

11:17 am:Hearing in the National Green Tribunal underway: The bench is headed by Justice Swatantra Kumar. Advocate Tarunvir Kehar is Delhi Govt’s counsel, in the case

11:14 am: Hearing related to Odd-Even scheme, begins in the National Green Tribunal

10:56 am: Water being sprinkled at Deen Dayal Marg

10:47 am: Dense smog continues to cover Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Saturday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) below 500 across the city.

10:30 am: Cab companies here on Friday said they have accepted the Delhi government’s request to not effect surge pricing for successful implementation of the odd-even scheme, which will be enforced in the city from November 13 to 17.

10:09 am: The NGT questioned the basis for the AAP government’s decision pointing out that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have found that the levels of PM10 and PM2.5 were cumulatively higher when the scheme was implemented twice earlier.

9:55 am: During the meeting, chaired by Environment Secretary C.K. Mishra, the governments concerned were urged to ensure strict enforcement of all measures suggested under the Graded Response Action Plan.

9:53 am: The Union Environment Ministry on Friday held a meeting with the neighbouring states of Delhi and directed them to urgently implement short-term measures to improve the air quality of Delhi and NCR.

9:27 am: The Union Agriculture Ministry on Friday said it has issued an advisory to state governments to check stubble burning that caused severe pollution in the National Capital Region in the last few days.

9:26 am: Uncertainty prevailed over the implementation of the odd-even car rationing scheme as the National Green Tribunal today questioned the rationale behind Delhi government’s decision to roll it out for five days next week, saying the scheme “cannot be imposed like this”.

9:15 am: Centre directed the states to demonstrate the crop residue management machines at farm fields using the Rs 132.5 crore funds allocated to them for this purpose under the Sub- Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation for the current fiscal.

9:08 am: Smog in Uttar Pradesh’s #Jalaun, in the early morning hours; train movement has also been affected due to the prevailing weather conditions

9:04 am: To tackle severe pollution in the national capital, the Centre today asked Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to help farmers hire machines to manage crop residue, besides creating awareness among them about the harmful effect of straw burning.

8:42 am: AAP’s Delhi unit convener and Labour Minister Gopal Rai said “creating awareness” was the biggest success of the previous two rounds of the scheme, while alleging there were multiple attempts to “sabotage” its second round, enforced in April last year.

8:33 am: The Aam Aadmi Party today strongly defended its government’s decision to bring back the odd-even road-rationing scheme, saying vehicular pollution was the biggest source of ultrafine particulate matters measuring less than 2.5 microns.

8:17 am: Delhi’s Mandir Marg at 326, Anand Vihar at 430, Siri Fort at 316, Dwarka at 327, Shadipur at 331 in the ‘Hazardous’ category, in Air Quality Index.

8:08 am: Smog at #Rajpath in the early morning hours; residents say the situation is better than the past week but long term solutions must be found

8:05 am: Meanwhile, this is what is happening in Bhalswa landfill site:

8:00 am: No respite from smog, 64 trains have been delayed

7:40 am: During a meeting held here under the chairmanship of the secretary of the ministry, it was suggested that state governments could set up flying squads to assess the situation on the ground, prevent violation and report it, the ministry said in a statement.

7:35 am: The Environment Ministry today decided that every state government would set up one or more monitoring groups, which will continuously look into compliance of the short-term measures to be taken to mitigate air pollution, officials said.